The Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said she would like to see the UK give spare COVID-19 vaccines to Ireland.
The UK has ordered 400 million doses of vaccines against the virus, and over 10 million people have received at least one dose.
The British vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said that between 11 and 12 o'clock yesterday, "979 jabs a minute" were being administered.
He added that he is "confident" they will hit its "tough target" of offering everybody over 50 a coronavirus vaccine by May.
Meanwhile, 219,000 doses of the inoculation have been administered in Ireland as of Thursday.
It comes as the World Health Organisation's Special Envoy on COVID-19 says a global shortage in vaccines will likely remain for some months.
Dr David Nabarro has also called on world leaders to commit to a "fair sharing arrangement" for the equal distribution of vaccines.
Speaking to Sky News today, Mary Lou McDonald agreed that there should be generosity and solidarity globally when it comes to vaccines.
She added that we live in a global community and would like to see Britain share excess doses with Ireland should the opportunity arise.
"I would like to see not just between Ireland and Britain, but globally a real sense of generosity and solidarity when it comes to vaccination because we need to ensure that there is not a reservoir of this virus anywhere," she said.
Asked if she would like to see the UK share COVID vaccine doses with Ireland, Mary Lou McDonald replies: "If there is an excess of supply in Britain and if there is a capacity for that to be shared with Ireland at some point, yes of course absolutely" https://t.co/MHVln75FBC pic.twitter.com/S38zCyUt7h
— Sophy Ridge on Sunday & The Take (@RidgeOnSunday) February 7, 2021
"Certainly if there is an excess of supply in Britain and if there is a capacity for that to be shared with Ireland at some point then yes, of course, absolutely, the project here is to get people vaccinated.
"This is a race against this virus and death so yes, I think a spirit of fairness and generosity needs to prevail in this above all other issues.
Ms McDonald added that "if the scenario was vice-versa, I would expect that a similar generosity would be afforded to the British people".
"The virus doesn't care about politics or borders or any of these things, we all share the same human biology.
"It is so important that the incredible work that has been done by scientists internationally, including at Oxford University, and across the globe, that the fruits of that endeavour and knowledge and expertise is shared in a way that good science would intend.
"That means keeping all of our fellow human citizens safe and alive and well."
